Clinical Theology
Clinical Theology, in essence, is a theology of recovery. Clinical Theology is any integration of Christian psychology and biblical theology that is used in a professional clinical setting. Clinical Theology is not a psychology of religion but a theology of psychology. Clinical Theology is used to help individuals overcome harmful or destructive behaviors.
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Clinical Theology is a biblical theology that brings forth meaning and hope during a crisis by implementing different theological lenses to meet spiritual needs. It is the foundation that liberates those in bondage who are dealing with physical, emotional, and mental distress. In addition, clinical Theology is the core foundation in religious psychology, spiritual care, chaplaincy, pastoral care, and Christian counseling.
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Clinical Theology is the unique discipline that has remained Christ-centered and serves in the Christian faith arena of healthcare. The purpose of the National Association of Clinical Theology is to provide quality training in the Christian discipline of Spiritual Care.
History
Dr. Frank Lake established the Clinical Theology Association in the United Kingdom. Dr. Lake is one of the pioneers of Pastoral Counselling in the U.K. He created the Clinical Theology Association in 1962 and remained its forerunner up until his death in 1982. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University, graduating with diplomas in medicine and surgery in 1937. Having long been attracted to missionary work, he then trained in parasitology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In 1946 Dr. Lake was appointed to the parasitology department of the Vellore Medical Centre. Dr. Lake's significant change of direction — from parasitology to psychiatry — came about after he was appointed Superintendent of the Medical College in Madras. In the course of setting up a psychiatric unit, he would later compile his research in two massive volumes of textbooks. This is a two-volume textbook called “Clinical Theology, a Theological And Psychiatric Basis to Clinical Pastoral Care.” His books served as a course in clinical pastoral training and care which makes full use of the resources and techniques of psychology. This work integrates the theological, psychiatric, and psychoanalytical disciplines with remarkable success and clarity. His research offers full analyses of mental and spiritual conditions, and they are illustrated with case histories. Dr. Lake was a Christian Doctor who loved God and knew that healing was holistic.
Dr. Russel Levassar is the co-founder and president of the National Association of Clinical Theology in the United States. He currently serves as a professional Chaplain for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services in the Maximum-Security State Hospital forensic psychiatric programs. He is also the Senior Pastor at Vernon Baptist Church in Vernon Texas. He holds an Associate of Applied Science from St. Philip's College in Vocational Education, a Bachelor of Applied Science from Wayland Baptist University in Management and Christian Ministry, and a Master of Divinity from Hardin-Simmons University Logsdon Seminary in Spiritual Care, and a Doctor of Theology from Colorado Theological Seminary in Christian Counseling. He is a licensed and ordained Baptist minister and is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In addition, he maintains a professional Chaplain ecclesiastical endorsement from the Baptist General Convention of Texas, specializing in the areas of Mental Health and Forensic behavior. He has partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in humanitarian services in marginalized communities and he is an affiliate with the National Christian Counselors Association and is a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor with an Advanced Certification. Dr. Levassar spent his early life managing mega collision repair facilities and leading Fortune 500- corporations dealing in strategic business operations and casualty claims. In addition, he served in inner-city missions as a bi-vocational lay minister specializing in poverty, dependency, addiction, and recovery during his professional business career.
